Winona Fire department may lose contract

Winona Fire Department has been notified it could lose its contract with Emergency Services District No. 2 for providing inadequate fire protection within its coverage area.

The volunteer department received a letter from the district’s attorney Friday notifying it was in breach of contract and had “repeatedly failed to timely respond to emergency calls and to provide timely emergency services.” The department has less than 30 days to correct the problems.

At 5:28 a.m., Feb. 13, Winona, Red Springs and Jackson Heights were dispatched to a structure fire. Red Springs and three other departments responded but Winona and Jackson Heights did not. Both departments were chided, Rozell said, and department leaders assured the district the problem would be resolved.

Winona Fire Department Board President Thomas Graham said the problem is that staff numbers are down. He would not elaborate further because he is meeting with the Smith County Fireman’s Association today.

Winona Fire Chief Nelson Brumley resigned his post last week.

ESD attorney Peter Kerr informed district board members at a meeting Monday the district could assume control of all Winona Fire Department’s equipment and facilities that had been purchased or improved with district money. That would include most of the department’s fire trucks and both its fire stations, Rozell said.

If Winona doesn’t show improvement, Rozell said the likely scenario would be for the board to appoint a fire chief for Winona and begin the process of staffing the department.

Rozell said he was unaware why the department had not been responding to calls.

“We can’t tell them how to run their department but we can hold them accountable for fire protection in the area they are contracted to cover and that is what we’re doing,” he said.

Rozell said the action shows departments and residents the district is serious about fire and emergency protection and that it would take all necessary actions to provide services. He said he believes Winona will comply and avoid an ESD takeover.

The department, district and Smith County Fireman’s Association are working toward a solution, he said.

Association President John Brown told board members Monday the stakeholders would meet May 7 for discussions.

He warned the strong stance could mean added pressure on other departments.

“We understand it’s a business and you have to do what you have to do,” he said. “But keep in mind that if the contract is terminated it will be a burden on all other departments. It will make it hard on everyone.”